UN, AU on Improving Somali Security

15 November 2017, New York, USA | South-South News — The Federal Government of Somalia, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia, and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) held a joint meeting on November 13 in Mogadishu to discuss a comprehensive approach to security for the country.

The discussions addressed Somalia’s national priorities, the progress made on the Comprehensive Approach to Security and existing gaps and drew participants from key federal ministries and federal member states, the United Nations, AMISOM and the international partners.

Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire in his opening remarks said, “Maintaining security is not just about offensive action, we remain cognizant that we require a comprehensive approach that has been well articulated by our president, who is keen on engaging our population in good governance, fighting corruption, reconciliation and healing the wounds of the past.”

He also noted that a comprehensive approach in dealing with the security situation in Somalia is critical, as the government readies itself to completely neutralize Al-Shabaab militants, in order to restore peace and order in the country.

Michael Keating, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia (SRSG), said, “The core issue before us is how we can continue to stabilize Somalia and preserve the many gains that have been made.” He who also noted that the terrorist group remained the main threat to peace and stability in Somalia.

Keating expressed the need to “protect the political space so that Somalis can continue the difficult business of constructing the state, building peace and resolving a number of challenges they face whether on the socio-economic side, the political side, the constitutional review, creation of jobs, and delivery of services.”

Keating also stressed the need “to develop a strategy led by the Federal Government in conjunction with the African Union; securing populations’ centers, main supply routes, joint operations and a plan for strengthening Somali security forces’ capability; and to make sure that we are all behind that overall strategy.”

The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Caetano Madeira, emphasized concerted efforts to address the security challenges saying “once we know the enemy, once we know our capabilities, we know what needs to be done. And once we know what needs to be done, we need resources. We need to sit down together and see how we mobilize these resources.”

Madeira also appealed for enhanced information sharing and intelligence capabilities on the terrorists.